Supercentenarian Profile

Cornelis Geurtz

Born:

1902-05-04

Rotterdam, South Holland

Netherlands

Died:

2012-08-21

Rotterdam, South Holland

Netherlands

✔ Age Certified by LongeviQuest

Cornelis Jacobus “Cor” Geurtz was a validated Dutch supercentenarian who was the oldest living person in the Netherlands at the time of his death.

BIOGRAPHY

Cornelis Geurtz was born in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands, on 4 May 1902, to parents Jacobus Geurtz and Christina Maria Olierhoek.

On 9 September 1931, he married Geertruida Cornelia Maria van Dijk. During his working life, he was employed by the PTT telephone company. He recalled that his job involved inspecting telephone cables, and his work area covered the region around Rotterdam. He retired at the age of 65. He was widowed in 1974.

At the age of 108, he was reported to be still living independently in the Oude Noorden district of Rotterdam, near the Nieuwe Maas. Although his eyesight had deteriorated and he relied on a rollator for walking, he remained mentally sharp. With assistance from his three daughters, he was still able to manage his own household.

At the time, he attributed his longevity to a life of moderation. “Eat moderately, drink moderately, and don’t argue,” he said. According to him, an occasional beer or glass of wine was fine, but never in excess. He had been a smoker earlier in life but gave up smoking in middle age. Longevity also ran in his family: his mother lived to the age of 99, while two of her sisters reached the ages of 91 and 92.

Cornelis Geurtz passed away in Rotterdam, on 21 August 2012, at the age of 110 years, 109 days.

RECOGNITION

Following the passing of 108-year-old Jos Wijnant (27 March 1902 – 26 June 2010), he became the oldest living man in the Netherlands.

Following the passing of 109-year-old Geertruida Draaisma (25 February 1902 – 12 August 2011), he became the oldest living person in the Netherlands. Upon his own passing, Egbertje Leutscher-de Vries succeeded him as the nation’s oldest living resident, and Gerard Helders (9 March 1905 – 6 January 2013) as the oldest living man.

His age was validated by the European Supercentenarian Organisation (ESO) on 18 October 2020.